Properties are generally rented unfurnished in Tokyo. For some apartments, unfurnished means EMPTY, that is, there is no stove, fridge, washer/dryer or even light fixtures! Be sure to find out from your real-estate agent what is included. Choosing between an unfurnished and a furnished apartment is a very personal decision. If your family plans to stay in Tokyo for less than one year, perhaps renting furniture would be the way to go. You can rent everything from beds to curtains to butter knives from the furniture rental agencies. Furniture leasing for a three-bedroom apartment averages ¥2 000 000. If you plan to make Tokyo your home for longer than one year, then buying furniture is your best bet. Most of the larger shops will deliver to your home for a reasonable fee. Beautiful furniture abounds here; the Japanese are famous for their beautiful home furnishings. Japanese dressers (tansu) are especially gorgeous. So go ahead and splurge!

Isetan Company Ltd. 14-1 Shinjuku 3-chome, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022 Tel: +81-3-3352-1111, Fax: +81-3-3225-2513 Email: iclub@isetan.co.jpwww.isetan.co.jp/ This is the leasing section of Isetan, a top-end department store chain. Minimum lease is 24 months but they are able to work with all budgets. Contact Leonard for helpful assistance

Interior Gallery Tsuyama 1-21-6 Motoasakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo 111-0041 Tel: +81-3-3845-1234 (Japanese only), Fax: +81-3-3844-0161 Email: none http://www.tsuyama.com/eg/index.html Since 1936 this company has worked to reproduce traditional Japanese furniture. Absolutely stunning pieces by various artists. Although the staff is exceptionally friendly, no English is spoken so bring a Japanese-speaking friend, the furniture here will last a lifetime and is well worth your trouble

MUJI 5th and 6th Fls., Shibuya Parco Part 3 14-5 Udagaea-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Tel: +81-3-3477-8830 (Japanese only) Fax: none Email: none www.mujionline.com/tour/search.asp For the modern and trendy, MUJI offers minimalist furniture that is environmentally friendly, sturdy and well priced. There are numerous locations throughout Tokyo, check the website for addresses

We are trying to decide whether we should bring selected furniture with us or buy once we arrive.

We have a King-size bed (not a luxury when two toddlers end up joining us in the middle of the night, every night!), two 3-seater sofas, full-size desk, and two single beds under consideration. Whilst I wont be getting a luxury mansion, I'm expecting to rent a 3 or 4 LDK of around 160m2 so assume I will be able to fit the stuff in.

Whist shipping Australia-Japan seems not too expensive, the cost of eventually returning the stuff home (according to one quote) makes me think I'm better off buying these items in Japan (particularly if I can get them 2nd hand).

Would appreciate any thoughts on this. Are there any good 2nd hand furniture dealers on the web? What sort of prices would I pay for new or pre-loved?

This time of year families are leaving so there are bargains around. There are also good buys around on new furnture if you know where to shop(not necessarily where expats shop). Buying from the classifieds can be a real hassle, from finding the address to getting things delivered (unless you have a van).

Help! I need to find a place to buy some Little Tikes (or something similar) plastic table and chairs for my toddler since I can't get it shipped from the states. I need a suggestion in western Tokyo if possible. Thanks!

If you can read a little Japanese, pick up a "NISSEN" catalog, available free at most convenience stores. They sell knock-down bunk beds. The wooden ones are very sturdy. I saw one listed for 29,900 yen. Oh, they have a web page (I've never looked at it though): www.nissen.jp.

HI! I m selling :a desk,kitchen table, arm chair, cabinets,chest with 6 drawers, small TV with remote... please all MUST GO very soon!, interesting prices..... I can send pictures, all pick up in Setagaya

Hello. I was just wondering if anyone knows of a good (and ideally not *too* expensive) place to shop for prints and paintings in or around Tokyo.

Also, does anyone know of any interior decorators here who offer home makeover services...that is, short (maybe half-day) consultations discussing how to arrange the art and furniture you already own? We're not interested in spending a lot of money to replace all our stuff, just in getting some ideas on how to make the best use of what we have. Thank you!

Beth, the only place I have found some really nice reasonable prints is Oriental Bazaar in Shibuya. Or there is another place just down from there on the same side of the road - sorry not sure what it is called - but they have some nice wall hangings and prints that are quite reasonable too.

Hi Beth You can try the Tollman Gallery in Shiba Daimon - www.tolmantokyo.com. They have beautiful prints in all shapes and sizes, many different artists, well-known and recently discovered, and all range of prices. cheers anne

Thank you! I've been to Oriental Bazaar before, but I haven't really looked at their prints...I always seem to buy pottery there. I've also never been to the Tollman Gallery, so I'll have to check out both tomorrow. Anyway, thanks for the ideas! Beth

We are moving soon and I am thinking of getting some new furniture. Till now I had been thinking to go to Oh!Kawa or Nitori. Does anybody have any good suggestions for reasonable furniture retailers. I am also interested to buy it overseas and get it sent here, but dont know of any possible online stores. I tried Landsend.com but it wasnt what I was looking for and Pottery Barn does not deliver to Japan. Looking for Kids rooma nd Living room furniture. Any suggestions welcome.